Customer vehicles may be insured while they are at a garage, but the answer depends on the policy section, the cause of damage and the stage at which the vehicle was in the business’s custody. Driving cover alone should not be assumed to protect every workshop or storage incident.
Situations to check separately
- Damage caused while servicing, repairing or testing the vehicle
- Theft, attempted theft, fire, flood or malicious damage at the premises
- Vehicles kept outside, in a compound or at another location overnight
- Collection, delivery and road testing
- Loss of keys, incorrect fuelling or damage from defective work
Some policies use a custody-and-control or vehicles-in-trust section. Others distinguish accidental damage during work from wider premises risks. Limits may apply to any one vehicle and to the total value of all customer vehicles on site.
Good records help after an incident
Record the vehicle condition on arrival, mileage, keys received, work authorised and where the vehicle is stored. Photographs, CCTV, key-control procedures and a clear handover process can reduce disputes.
High-value, classic, modified, competition or specialist vehicles may require prior agreement. Check security conditions and unattended-vehicle requirements carefully, especially where vehicles remain outside business hours.